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Victoria, Vancouver Island
Monday, June 13th Lots of walking in Victoria - Changing Bike Tires After breakfast Norman took us into Victoria with our bikes in his car into a place similar to REI which was called MEC - Mountain Equipment Co-op. We had been told for some time that our bike tires were too big, that they had too much friction with the ground, we needed some help on many of the roads we were on, so we ended up asking questions about the tires to their bike people. We bought 4 new touring tires and 6 tubes. Carmen bought a front light since we had left ours in Houston, she felt safer with the light feeling that some days we would ride so late that it would get dark on us. I disagreed since it didn't get dark till after 9:30, but I knew that as soon as I said no to the light , then we would be out stuck late on the road. We paid for the light and tires and left them at the store to be picked up later in the day after we were done walking around the city. We walked just about a block to Chinatown and locked up our bikes so we could walk the city and have lunch, from there we walked to a thrift store because we needed to buy a strap for our Maletin to make it comfortable to carry it, since we had not traveled with the backpack after Seattle.
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We did not only find a strap , but Carmen found me my new favorite sweater, so I donated my old sweater to the center which I had used several years including my trip to Spain with Jessica. We walked up to the city Art Gallery, we thought it would be a 10-15 minute walk but it turned out to be closer to 45 minutes mainly uphill away from the waterfront. At the museum we saw the work of Emily Kerr, at the time we had no idea who she was, but found that she was a top Canadian artist in her era. Most of her work was not my art taste with the exception of some of her watercolors, and several of the other exhibits were just too far out there for me to appreciate. We did appreciate the Japanese gardens which were part of the Museum. Afterwards we walked down the hill and saw a few more shops.
Norman had texted me to see if we were coming back for dinner, but I told him we still needed a couple of hours and needed to pick up our purchases at MEC.
I ended up throwing the tires around my neck and shoulder to get back to their house. We got there just as they were finishing dinner, they stayed at the dinner table joining us with conversation after we meet Jasmine, another cyclist on tour with her dog on the back of her bike with a dog carrier. We were impressed with Jasmine, she had done a lot of cycling off and on with trains all the way from Chicago. She had some wonderful stories to share with us.
After dinner Carmen and I went down to the garage to change our tires. Earlier in the evening Jasmine had asked me to look at a concern of hers on her bike, I told her I would but that we were new at this bike business, well she ended up showing me an easier way to change tires. She told me she had so much experience from changing many flats on her tour so far. After changing tires Carmen and I rode around a bit to make sure that all went well with our new more efficient tires.
Norman had texted me to see if we were coming back for dinner, but I told him we still needed a couple of hours and needed to pick up our purchases at MEC.
I ended up throwing the tires around my neck and shoulder to get back to their house. We got there just as they were finishing dinner, they stayed at the dinner table joining us with conversation after we meet Jasmine, another cyclist on tour with her dog on the back of her bike with a dog carrier. We were impressed with Jasmine, she had done a lot of cycling off and on with trains all the way from Chicago. She had some wonderful stories to share with us.
After dinner Carmen and I went down to the garage to change our tires. Earlier in the evening Jasmine had asked me to look at a concern of hers on her bike, I told her I would but that we were new at this bike business, well she ended up showing me an easier way to change tires. She told me she had so much experience from changing many flats on her tour so far. After changing tires Carmen and I rode around a bit to make sure that all went well with our new more efficient tires.
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Carmen -
Today's walk around Victoria was beautiful. The city is a mix of old and new. I love that there are many tourists, and the town's people seem to blend in with the tourists. I love Bollywood movies! Today I got to see the filming of one outside the Government Palace of Victoria. Robert and the girls always give me a hard time about watching them....so I have to wear headphones to listen to the music. Today I was able to listen to the music and enjoy the atmosphere. The singer had a fan group sitting in the grass shouting at him when he sang.
I loved the Fan Tan Alley area with the hanging lanterns., so bright and cheerful. While we are walking I find a store that has these words on their entry steps...."Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly"....I know that many will walk by and see the words, but not feel the message. As we walked around the corner we came across a group that was showing public support for the tragic shooting in Orlando. My heart is full of sadness to see the young girl that was holding a sign - "Let's love each other". I took a couple of pictures - but not of the girl. There is so much love around the world....it is up to each of us as individuals to continue to live each day with love for all, so that hate will not conquer. I pledge to do my part and spread love.
Carmen -
Today's walk around Victoria was beautiful. The city is a mix of old and new. I love that there are many tourists, and the town's people seem to blend in with the tourists. I love Bollywood movies! Today I got to see the filming of one outside the Government Palace of Victoria. Robert and the girls always give me a hard time about watching them....so I have to wear headphones to listen to the music. Today I was able to listen to the music and enjoy the atmosphere. The singer had a fan group sitting in the grass shouting at him when he sang.
I loved the Fan Tan Alley area with the hanging lanterns., so bright and cheerful. While we are walking I find a store that has these words on their entry steps...."Love Generously, Care Deeply, Speak Kindly"....I know that many will walk by and see the words, but not feel the message. As we walked around the corner we came across a group that was showing public support for the tragic shooting in Orlando. My heart is full of sadness to see the young girl that was holding a sign - "Let's love each other". I took a couple of pictures - but not of the girl. There is so much love around the world....it is up to each of us as individuals to continue to live each day with love for all, so that hate will not conquer. I pledge to do my part and spread love.